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XXI. On the Isolation of the Organo-Metals, Meremric, Stannic, and Plumbic Ethyls ; 
and Observations on some of their Perivatives. — Second Memoir. 
By Geoege Bowdlee Buckton, Esg., F.B.S., F.L.8., F.C.S. 
Eeceived Marcb 3, — Eead March 10, 1859. 
Seveeal years have elapsed since Bunsen brought before the notice of chemists the 
interesting substance known as kakodyl. His elaborate memoir indicated, for the first 
time, the existence of a class of bodies now recognized as the organo-metals, the members 
of which, through the labours of Feankland, L5wig, Wohlee and others, have proved to 
be very numerous. 
The series indeed ranges over a wide field, and on the one hand comprises organo- 
combinations with electro-negative metals, such as arsenic and antimony, and on the 
other hand embraces elements nearly allied to the noble metals, such as mercury and 
lead. 
Mr. Wankltn’s recent discovery of sodiumethyl shows also that the members of this 
class extend to the extreme limits of the electro-positive metals. 
In a paper which the Koyal Society has honoured me by publishing *, I described some 
preliminary experiments, undertaken with reference to testing the analogies of some of 
the organo-metals containing mercury, lead, and tin. At the same time more than one 
method was shown by which their isolation could be effected. In the present memoir 
I have endeavoured to fill up the sketch then offered, and have added some considerations, 
supported by experiment, which it is hoped may prove of value in the interpretation of 
some of the more complex and less known individuals of the group. 
Mercuric Ethyl. 
Action of Zincethyl on Iodide of Mercurous Etkyl.— Although diffused daylight causes 
the decomposition of iodide of ethyl in presence of mercury, the action is slow, and 
requires many days’ exposure before any considerable quantity of iodide of mercurous 
ethyl is formed. On this account attempts were made to obtain the salt by employing 
strong heat in sealed tubes. 
The digestion was first made at a temperature of 130° C., and continued for four 
hours; but an examination proved that little or no change had taken place in the 
materials. The same tubes were afterwards heated for twelve hours from 160° to 170°, 
at the expiration of which time, much iodide of mercury had formed, in fine scarlet 
crystals. On cutting the tubes the internal pressure of gas was considerable, but no 
notable quantity of the requmed iodide was present. 
* Philosophical Transactions for 1858, p. 163. 
